New Tithing Van

Some time ago, I introduced you to our $300 van. We bought it out of desperation when our poor truck died. How can you go wrong for $300? We figured if it would last that winter, it would be worth it. Well, it lasted the winter. In fact, it lasted nearly 2 years. What a miracle! We affectionately named it the “tithing van” because we knew it was a true blessing from our Heavenly Father that allowed us to get by for a while. ElGirlo was able to take it back and forth to work and run small errands with it. We hauled many things in it, and towed trailers, etc. It was a good van. Yep I say, “was.” The ball joints went out on it, making it quite unsafe to drive. We still took it around town at slow speeds, but we have been quite concerned. The problem was, we didn’t have the money to replace it.

Then some miracles happened. The Lord opened the window to allow us to look into fixing the van. We got some estimates. We discovered it would cost more than $1,300 just to get it safe again. I figure the transmission is on its way out, and the engine isn’t looking too good. It’s got about 200,000 miles on it. I figure it’s put in its time.

So, we decided to look at buying a different hunk of junk and run that into the ground. Yup, that’s just what we do… (as you can tell from past posts). Well, for that small amount of money, there aren’t a lot of options. I looked at several vehicles, but didn’t see anything real great (as you can imagine).

Then, we saw it… the proverbial vehicle that is real old, but has been meticulously cared for by an old lady. Seriously, this lady babied her car. It is a 1995 Nissan Quest minivan. It only has 123,000 miles on it. It came with 4 brand new snow tires and 5 brand new all-season radials. It is in such good shape. Seriously, it is so nice. And the price tag? Only $1,600!!! (That’s just $300 more than we would have paid to fix the tithing van.)

We called on it and found out several people were scheduled to come and look at it. It was located in a mountain town about an hour and a half away from us. I called Friday night at 6 pm. The owner was not keen to show it to us that night, but I insisted. She agreed that if I could make it there by 8 pm, she would allow me to test-drive it. But, she would not sell it to us until everyone who wanted to had a chance to see it. Then she would decide who was most worthy of bringing it home. She wanted a family that would give this van a good home. I wondered if this was an automobile or a puppy dog. Anyway, we jumped in the car and literally sped away. We barely made it on time.

The older couple that was selling it was from Germany. They were a bit eccentric, to say the least. But, they were extremely sweet and hospitable. They fell in love with our kids and showered them with popsicles and a couple of toys.

I went for a ride in the vehicle. I told them that if they would let me, I would buy the van right then. To my surprise, they agreed since ElGirlo and the boys had charmed her while I was test-driving the van. She made us promise to keep her angel mirror ornaments in the van and even asked us to speak to the angels and the van every time we got in it. We smiled and promised to keep the angels in the van. (I didn’t say where we’d keep them. And I was careful not to promise to talk to them or the van.) We finalized the deal Saturday morning and—Yay! We have a new tithing van!

While we were speaking to the German couple, they discovered that we are Mormons. They are interested in the church. We were more than happy to answer their questions and invite them to hear more. They agreed. We exchanged contact information and we will keep in touch when she returns to Germany. I really hope they discover the truth, because they are just genuinely good people.

I want to thank some wonderful family members for making it possible for us to buy this van. You know who you are! I don’t know how to begin to thank you.

I thought you’d get a chuckle out of the ad this sweet German lady put on Craig’s List, so here it is:

1995 NISSAN QUEST GXE MINIVAN” seeking for a new owner! Here are my Story: · Model VG30E 1995 Quest GXE MINIVAN U.S.A. · 6-cylinder, V · Gloss paint, metallic dark blue · Front and rear body color impact absorbing bumpers · 3door Minivan · Mileage: 128.000 · Summer and Winter garaged · 7 seats (front seat center armrest); Cloth seat upholstery; Seat belts · Stereo audio system with AM/FM, 4 Speakers, Diversity antenna · Air Condition · 4 Steel Road wheel 5-1/2-JJ x 15 · Tire size P205/75R15 /97S; with 4 Winter tires · Plus 5 extra Season tires + 1 Spare tire and many many more Features… As you can see from the picture, I’m a clean car, there are no big damage on me, only some little stress marks. My all over condition is good. My lady bought me 2nd hand 2004 in Florida. I do not remember the treatment of my 1st owner. Since that time I caused never a crash, never any troubles nor problems to my elderly lady who really cherish and maintain me through Winter and Summer and the most important, she “speake” to me every day, by visiting me in my privat “home garage”. I like it very much! Now I’m very sad because she is returning to Europe and for my big dimension, I have no place in her container, therefore I’m for sale. If you like to buy me, please feel free to contact my lady by phone or e-mail her any time. asking price is US$ 1.672.00 Or B/O (best offer) Thank you so much for your attention.

July 2009 Update

It’s been a LONG time. I wasn’t sure if I had given up on this blog or not, but I’ve decided to keep it alive after all. I’m sure no one will think to check it, but after all, I’m writing for my own sake anyway. So, here I am.

Part of the reason I haven’t written is because life has been super stressful. We decided a year ago that it was time to start looking for a different job. This was inspired by many reasons that I suppose I won’t go into now. Our decision was strongly confirmed in prayer. To make a very long story short, I interviewed for several very good, promising jobs. I was a finalist for a few of them. We rode an emotional roller coaster just as we thought we were going to get a job, but then it didn’t happen. This happened several times. That has been such a trial of our faith! It’s so depressing to think you’ll get what amounts to a dream job, then have your hopes dashed.

I think the Lord knew we needed that trial. We have grown leaps and bounds the last year. When the economy tanked in the fall, we saw the amount of desirable jobs that I was eligible for dwindle to nearly non-existent. It was very discouraging. We have been so grateful that I have a job. However, it was very frustrating to continue to work most Sundays and to feel inactive at church. Additionally, with the economy, corporate cut labor hours to save money. I found myself doing the work of 3-4 people in less time than I had before. My pay decreased. It was a very stressful and trying time.

I recently applied for a position at Deseret Industries. For those who don’t know, Deseret Industries (DI) is an LDS Church-owned thrift store. One of the main purposes is to provide vocational rehabilitation to people who struggle in one way or another and help them build their skills so they can get work in the “real world.”

I applied as a Job Coach/Trainer, working one on one with these individuals and helping manage the store. I have never been through a more grueling interview process. The initial interview by phone lasted over an hour and a half. I was asked personal questions that really made me think. Then I went into a formal interview in the boardroom where I presented my case to 2 store managers and a supervisor from headquarters in Salt Lake. Again, I was asked very challenging and personal questions. I then met with one of the store managers in an informal “get to know you” session. I toured the store and he took me to lunch. Then, more waiting.

Well, I beat out 60 applicants and got the job. I'll work Wednesday at Walgreens and start Thursday at DI. What a relief! We feel so blessed. The Church offers better pay, much better benefits, a better work environment, and…wait for it…SUNDAYS OFF! YAY!

It didn’t take the bishop long to issue a calling. But, that’s an interesting story. I was working my last Sunday yesterday. ElGirlo was called by the Executive Secretary in the ward to meet with a member of the Bishopric. In our church, we have no paid clergy. The bishop and his counselors issue callings, as directed by the Spirit of the Lord, to members of the congregation to serve in various capacities. They asked to meet with both of us, but ElGirlo explained that I was at work. So they met with her first.

ElGirlo had been serving as a teacher (advisor) in the Young Women program. They informed her that it was time to reorganize the Young Women presidency and other advisors and leaders in the program. So she was released from her calling. They asked her to be the Assistant Ward Organist. She humbly accepted, but was so sad about leaving Young Women.

When a new calling is extended, the congregation is asked to sustain that individual with a vote signified by the raising of hands. So in the meeting that afternoon, ElGirlo was publicly released from Young Women and sustained as the new Assistant Ward Organist. She was bawling.

This is where it gets interesting. The bishopric called her back into their office after the meeting. They told her that when she stood to be sustained, they felt a very strong and urgent impression from the Holy Ghost that this calling was not right for her. Instead, they knew she should serve as the yet unfilled second counselor in the new young Women Presidency. Wow! Of course, she won’t be sustained until next week, so this isn’t public knowledge yet. A lot of people were so sad to see her go, and were crying on her shoulder, but she knows she’ll be right back in there. Kind of awkward…

At any rate, I was also called to meet with the bishopric. I came in after work and they called me to team teach the Gospel Doctrine class and to substitute in other Sunday School classes. I’ve done that before and really enjoyed it, so I’m looking forward to this. Now, whenever a church calling changes in my family, we write a poem. It’s just another weird, quirky thing we do. This is the poem:

No more excuses—my Sundays are free.
That’s why the bishopric interviewed me.
They spoke to my wife and gave her a calling.
While I was at work, she called me up bawling.
She wasn’t too thrilled to be leaving Young Womens.
She sniveled and whimpered like old Richard Simmons.
Assistant Ward Organist—that’s what they told her.
The ward raised their hands in a vote to uphold her.
The Spirit said: No! You’ve got it all wrong…
This isn’t the place where she will belong.
They called her back in after Sacrament meeting.
I guess her new calling was ever so fleeting.
Her time in Young Women was not really through…
The Lord wanted her to be Counselor Two.
The Bishopric knew it when she was sustained.
They broke her the news and she never complained.
She couldn’t say much, so she gave her goodbyes’s.
The day was just starting and full of surprises.
They then called me in when I came home from work.
I dreaded bad news like “You’re the Ward Clerk!”
But to my relief, that wasn’t the case.
They certainly saw the relief on my face.
It wasn’t Ward Clerk. Hallelujah! Alas,
They called me to teach Gospel Doctrine Class!

In other unrelated news, we’re getting a new addition to the ElFamilia. That’s right, ElGirlo’s expecting! We don’t know a gender yet, but ElBabyo is due just before Christmas.
That’s all for now. We have much to be thankful for. I’ll try to write more regularly.